Milan Lucic won't return to Bruins this season

While domestic violence charges were dropped against Bruins winger Milan Lucic earlier on Friday, don’t expect to see him back in a Boston uniform in 2023-24. Following the news of the charges being dropped, the team released a statement to reporters including Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald that the veteran won’t return this season:

Milan Lucic will remain on indefinite leave from the organization for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. The Boston Bruins organization supports Milan and his family as he continues his personal rehabilitation.

Lucic signed a one-year contract with Boston in July, which carried a $1M cap hit and salary plus another $500K in undisclosed performance bonuses.  He will once again be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

At the time of his arrest back in November, Lucic was on LTIR and entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program soon after.  Accordingly, the Bruins will be allowed to keep him on LTIR and exceed the salary cap by up to $1M for the remainder of the season.